British director Stephen Frears'' political docudrama The Deal was originally broadcast on Channel 4. The film is based on the real-life events that elevated Tony Blair to the seat of Prime Minister. The film shows how the hard-working, but not head-turning, Gordon Brown (David Morrissey) and the flashy Blair (Michael Sheen), two very opposite personalities, forged a working relationship while opposing Margaret Thatcher''s government. When the Labor leader, John Smith, dies of a heart attack, on May 13, 1994, everyone believes Brown will ascend to the top of the party. But that isn''t what happens.The film supposes what happened at a historic dinner meeting between Brown and Blair, at Islington, that led directly to Blair''s appointment. This film is loosely based on The Rivals, written by James Naughtie.